MENNA FITZPATRICK still recalls the first time she felt the wind across her face and the snow crunching beneath her skis as she sped downhill with her dad as her guide.
She was just five years old. But in that moment, something clicked. “I loved it. It was on a family holiday to France.
“The aim was to make us fall in love with the snow and the mountains so my parents were successful,” laughs Menna, 26, from Macclesfield and Britain’s most successful Winter Paralympian.
It never occurred to Menna that her disability – she’s been visually impaired since birth – could hold her back in sport.
“I’ve no useful sight in my left eye and 5 per cent vision in my right.
“My parents were told when I was little that they could wrap me in cotton wool or let me get on with all the dangerous things everyone else does and wait ten seconds to see if I can pick myself up.
“I’m used to falling over – we call it bounceability!
Menna Fitzpatrick
Hometown
Macclesfield
Events
Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G, Super Combined
Paralympic Medals
6 (1 Gold)
“The feeling of freedom was everything – I could choose when I wanted to turn and how fast to go.”
At 12, her talent was spotted by Paralympic scouts at Manchester’s Chill Factore indoor slope.
Since then, Menna has won six Winter Paralympic medals: four at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, including slalom gold with guide Jennifer Kehoe, and two in Beijing in 2022 with Gary Smith.
Currently healing from a broken tibia (“an occupational hazard”), she’s focused on the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics in Italy.
And she feels a kinship with up and coming Paralympians like 17-year-old Hester Poole, who is a potential competitor for the 2026 Winter Games.
“I try to help as much as I can and share some of my experiences,” says Menna.
Both skiers are on The National Lottery-supported World Class Programme that gives athletes access to the world’s best coaches, and medical and technical support.
Since National Lottery funding to elite sport began, Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes have won more than 1,000 medals across the Summer and Winter Games… and that’s not counting the Paris total.
Hester Poole
Hometown
Bath
Events
Slalom, Giant Slalom
Paralympic Medals
Watch this space
“I look up to Menna so much,” says Hester, who was born with 5 to 10 per cent vision and has a black labrador guide dog, Pickle.
Her Facebook profile says: “Hello, I’m Hester. I can’t see but can ski.”
“I was six or seven when I discovered I could ski. I started getting faster and racing against able-bodied kids when I was eight.
“I’ve known Menna since I was ten. She’s my role model.”
Established athletes like Menna mentor and advise younger racers.
“She’s been a big sister figure. I literally am wearing her hand-me-downs and skiing on her skis,” says Hester.
While juggling A-levels at school in Bath, Hester trains abroad on snow one week out of every four.
“The Paralympics have been my dream for ten years. It’s all about how well I perform this season and next season. I think I’m ready!”
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